Gas burner apparatus



March 8, 1949. T.-J. REID 2,463,558

4 GAS BURNER A P PAHATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

7770/4615 d lei/0.

- HTwK/VE X5.

T. J. REID GAS BURNER APPARATUS March 8, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1946 6 e Q m Z w a s A\ W 5, :37 m W a w Wqopeoomoo 2x WM9ZMW WTTOF/YEYi Patented Mar. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAS BURNER APPARATUS Thomas J. Reid, Windsor, Ontario, Canada Application February 25, 1946, Serial No. 649,815

3 Claims. 1 This invention relates to heating appliances and more particularly to a gas burner apparatus.

Heretofore, gas burners have consumed a considerable amount of gas, and as a result the operating costs have been relatively high. This has been due primarily to the inefiicient construction and arrangement of parts of the gas burner, which, in operation, failed to obtain the maximum heating benefits from the gas. As a result, an

unnecessarily large amount of gas has been re- L quired to obtain the desired heating results from the apparatus.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improved gas-heating apparatus which is so constructed and the parts so related to one another that thorough combustion is achieved. Another object of this invention is to provide a novel gas burner structure which, in operation, reduces considerably the amount of gas heretofore used and utilizes the available heating potentialities of the gas. Another object of the invention is to provide novel combination of gas and air mixing and expansion chamber with a gas preheating chamber which in operation reduces the amount of gas heretofore considered necessary and provides an efficient, thoroughly combustible mixture of preheated gas and air. A further object of this invention is to provide a novel preheating chamber in which raw gas prior to mixture with air is safely heated to a high degree of temperature and introduced in its heated state with air into the mixing chamber which is constructed to allow for the expansion and intimate mixture of the gas and air therein prior to discharge in ignited condition.

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features will become more fully apparent from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings therein:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through a furnace showing a burner structure of the present invention mounted therein.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through a furnace showing a pair of burner units of the present invention mounted therein.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the burner unit constructed in accordance with this invention, partially broken away to show the interior arrangement of parts.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional View through the burner unit of Fig. 3 along line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the mixing chamsubstantially all line 4-4 2 ber showing the parts in the order of their assembly.

A pair of gas burner structures of the present invention is indicated generally at ill-40 in Figs. 1 and 2 mounted on a grate l2 of a domestic furnace it, although it is understod the invention is adaptable to other types of gas-fired appliances. Each burner l0 communicates with a gas manifold 16 to receive raw gas therefrom. The manifold receives gas from a gas delivery pipe l8 communicating with a source of gas supply.

In general, each burner unit comprises a gas preheating chamber arranged in parallel relationship to a gas and air mixing and expansion chamber. The latter is arranged to discharge jets of ignited gaseous fuel in such a direction as to heat the preheating chamber through which the raw gas is delivered prior to inter-mixture with the air. Referring specifically to Fig. 3, the gas preheating chamber is indicated at 20 and is preferably formed by casting a hollow, elongated body having a reduced end portion 22. Gas is admitted into the other end of the preheating chamher through port 23 by a pipe 25 which communicates directly with the manifold iii. The opposite reduced end of the chamber is provided with an end wall aperture which is normally closed by a removable plug 25.

The gas preheating chamber is superimposed upon a gas and air-mixing and expansion chamber 2E. The latter is elongated, and both chambers are arranged with their longitudinal dimensions parallel to one another. The mixing and expansion chamber 26 extends substantially the same length as the preheating chamber but is of considerably more depth, as is indicated in Fig. 3. Preferably, the interior vertical dimension of the chamber is at least twice that of the preheating chamber for reasons which will become more apparent hereinafter. The mixing and expansion chamber is preferably formed, in part, by a metal casting operation which forms a generally rectangular open frame 28 (Fig. 6) joined integrally with a block 30 on one end thereof. The latter is cast with a downwardly extending converging passage 32 which is bent at its lower end in the direction of the frame and opens through the aperture 34 into the lower part of the frame, as best illustrated in Fig. 3.

The frame, although generally rectangular in formation, is actually provided with a shorter base member 36 than the top member 38, and the two sides joining these members extend upwardly at an outward inclination from the base member. A pair of correspondingly shaped side plates 40-40 complete the mixing and expansion chamber assembly. The inside faces of these plates are provided with marginal flanges 42 which fit into the opening provided by the frame, and by virtue of their abutting engagement with the walls of the frame, serve to hold the plates in posi tion. With the side plates in position, the rectangular frame structure forms a chamber narrow at the bottom and gradually increasing in area toward the top. Air and gas admitted through the aperture 34 enter the lower narrower part of the chamber 26 and as is described hereinafter rise in the expanding area of the chamber before discharge therefrom.

The preheating chamber is assembled on the mixing and expansion chamber 26 with the reduced end portion 22 overlying the inlet passage 32 in spaced relation therefrom, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Suitable means is employed for securing these two chambers together in superimposed relationship. As shown, the preheating chamber is provided with two bosses or legs 44 cast integrally therewith which bear upon the top side of the chamber 26 and serve to support the preheating chamber in slightly spaced relation above the former. An apertured flange 36 depending below the inlet port 23 is provided with a bolt 48 which enters an internally threaded hole in the casting of the chamber to secure the two chamber elements together at this end. At the opposite end, an upwardly projecting flange 50 on the block portion is provided with a bolt 52 which is .threadedly received in an inclined hole in the preheating chamber element at the juncture of the reduced end portion thereof.

Fixed in the reduced end portion 22 of the pre heating chamber and communicating with the interior thereofis a gas discharge nozzle 54. This nozzle project-s downwardly from the underside of the reduced section of the preheating cham ber is preferably mounted with the passage way therein, extending on in line with the axis of the inlet passage 32. Raw gas admitted through the inlet port 23 flows through the chamber 20 and discharges from the nozzle 54 in a downwardly directed stream toward the open end of theinlet passage 32.

Mounted within the inlet passage 32 is a removable tubular member 56 having a bellmouthed inlet opening 55 into which the stream of raw gas from the nozzle is directed. The gas streamdischarged from the nozzle 54 into the inlet of member 56 draws air into such member to therein with the gas and to discharge as a gas air mixture from the lower end of the member :56. The member 56 is supported in the inlet passage in spaced relation to the walls thereof as shown in Figure 3. This is preferably accomplished by providing two opposed bosses Bil in the passage, which are spaced apart sufiiciently to receive the narrower part of the tubular memberbut form a seat upon which the wider bell-mouthed end. of the member rests. The member 56 is preferably held tightly in place by a set screw 62 or other suitable means which extends through the side wall of the block 30 and engages and tightly clamps the tubular member in place. As the gas air mixture is discharged from the lower end of the member 56 air is drawn down through the inlet 32 about the member 56 and a second mixing ofgas and air occurs below the lower end of tube 56.

The two side plates 40-4U are held in position against the sides of the rectangular frame 28 by a single bolt :64 which .extends through aligned holes in the plates and centrally through the mixing chamber. A nut 66 on the threaded extremity of the bolt acts to tighten the plates against the frame. Each plate is preferably a metal cast structure and is formed with a horizontal lateral projection or ridge 68 which is cast integrally on the plate. The ridge on each plate, as shown in Figure 5, extends at an upward outward inclination. Extending through each ridge 68 at the same upward inclination thereof is a series of ports or orifices 70 which communicate with the interior of the mixing chamber 26 and serve to discharge jets of ignited gaseous fuel formed therein. By virtue of the relation of the side plates to the preheating chamber, there rises on opposite sides of the latter streams of ignited fuel issuing from the orifices 10. The preheating chamber is thus enclosed between two gaseous flames which function to preheat the raw gas passing therethrough.

To facilitate the heating of the raw gas, the preheating chamber 20 is originally cast with a plurality of fins 12 which project laterally from oppositesides thereof toward the rising flames. Heat from the flames is conducted by the fins to the walls of the preheating chamber and equallyv distributed throughout the length of the chamber. The fins also serve to strengthen the preheating chamber and prevent it from warping under the high heat.

In operation, raw as is delivered under pressure from the manifold it through the delivery pipe M- .to the preheating chamber 26. It flows therethrough and discharges therefrom through the nozzle 52 into the bell-mouth entrance of the tubular member 55. Air enters the bell-mouth entrance along with the gas stream and mixes with the gas within the tubular member 56. The gas air mixture discharges as a large diameter jet from the outlet of tubular member 55. This discharge of mixture of gas and air from theoutlet of tubular member draws air through the inlet 32 down the annular space formed around the outside of the tubular member 56 and a second mixing occurs.

This mixture of air and gas enters the bottom and narrower part of the mixing chamber 26, wherein the mixing is continued and heat from the gas is transferred to the air. The heated mixture of gas and air rises in the chamber 25 which, as a result of its inverted truncated formation, causes the mixture to expand before discharge from the orifices .10. These orifices communicate with the upper, larger portion of the mixin and expansion chamber. As previously described these orifices direct the ignited streams of fuel over but preferably spaced from the opposite sides of the preheating chamber in close proximity to the fins 12.

After the burner unit has been in operation for a short while, the preheating chamber 20 becomes heated to its maximum temperature. It has been found that the amount of raw gas delivered therefrom through the nozzle 54 falls off considerably from that originally supplied when the apparatus was in a cold state. The preheating operation expands the raw gas, and less gas per volume of mixture is needed. The gas imparts its heat to the air in the mixing chamber, and the mixture is brought close to the ignitable temperature prior to discharge from the orifices l9. Because of the absence of air in the preheating chamber, the as will not burn, although it is raised to a relatively high degree. The increasing area of the mixing chamber from the bottom to the top thereof enables the mixture therein to expand and, at the same time, reduce the pressure of the mixture before escapin from the discharge orifices.

What I claim is:

1. A gas burner comprising, in combination, a cast metallic structure including an open generally rectangular frame and a block cast integrally with one side thereof shaped with a downwardly converging inlet passage bent at its lower end toward the frame and opening through the bottom of said side into the rectangular frame, a pair of opposed side plates having their marginal portions shaped to engage said rectangular frame and mounted on opposite sides thereof to form a closed mixing chamber, bolt means extending from one side plate to the other through said rectangular frame and removably securing the plates to the frame, an elongated hollow cast metal structure forming a gas preheating chamber and having a gas inlet in one end thereof and a gas outlet in the other end thereof, means for mounting said cast preheating chamber upon the mixing chamber with the outlet end thereof overlying said inlet passage, a gas discharge nozzle mounted in said gas outlet of said preheating chamber and arranged to direct a stream of gas therefrom into the inlet passage, a plurality of fins cast integrally on the preheating chamber and projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, said side plates provided with a horizontal series of discharge orifices disposed adjacent to their top edges and arranged to discharge ignited jets of gaseous fuel upwardly past the opposite sides of the preheating chamber into close proximity to the fins thereof.

2. A gas burner comprising, in combination, a cast metallic structure including an open, inverted truncated shaped frame and a block cast integrally with one side of the frame, said block having cast therein a downwardly converging inlet passage bent at its lower end toward the frame and opening through said side of the frame into the bottom area thereof, a pair of opposed cast metal plates having their marginal portions shaped to interfit with said frame and mounted on opposite sides thereof to form a closed mixing and expansion chamber, a single removable bolt extending from one side plate to the other through substantially the center of said frame and removably securing the plates to the frame, an elongated hollow cast metallic body forming a gas preheating chamber and provided with a reduced end portion having the bottom wall thereof raised above the bottom wall of the balance of the body, means for mounting said preheating chamber body upon the topside of said mixing and expansion chamber with the reduced end portion thereof overlying said inlet passage, means for introducing raw gas into the end of said body opposite to the reduced end portion thereof, a gas discharge nozzle depending below the bottom wall of said reduced end portion and projecting substantially in line with the axis of said inlet to discharge a stream of preheated raw gas thereinto, said inlet functioning at the same time as said gas is introduced to syphon air thereinto, each of said plates provided on the outer face adjacent to the top thereof with a horizontal ridge cast integrally therewith, said ridges provided with a series of upwardly directed orifices communicating with the upper area of said mixing and expansion chamber, from which issue jets of ignited fuel on either side of the preheating chamber body, and a plurality of fins carried on said preheating chamber body projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof into heat conductive relation to said ignited fuel jets.

3. A gas burner comprising, in combination, a cast metallic structure composed of an open inverted truncated shaped frame and a block cast integrally with one side of the frame, said block having cast therein a downwardly converging inlet passage bent at its lower end toward the frame and opening through said side of the frame into the bottom area thereof, a removable tubular member having a widened bell-mouth inlet, means of mounting said tubular member in said inlet passage in spaced relation to the walls thereof, with the bell-mouth inlet thereof at the upper end of said passage, a pair of opposed cast metal plates having a truncated formation corresponding to that of said frame and mounted on opposite sides thereof to form a closed mixing and expansion chamber, a single removable bolt extending from substantially the center of one plate through said frame to substantially the center of the other plate and removably securing the plates to the opposite sides of the frame, an elongated hollow cast metal body forming a gas preheatin chamber, means mounting said preheating chamber above the mixing and expansion chamber in slightly spaced relation thereto, with one end thereof overlying said inlet passage, means for introducing raw gas in the other end of said preheating chamber, a nozzle depending from said end of preheating chamber overlying said inlet passage and arranged to discharge raw gas heated in the chamber directly into the bell-mouth inlet of said tubular member, said inlet passage in cooperation with said tubular member functioning to syphon air into the inlet passage both through the tubular member and through the space therearound, and said plates each provided with a series of orifices therethrough communicating with the upper area of said mixing and expansion chamber and arranged to direct ignited streams of gaseous fuel upwardly therefrom past opposite sides of said preheating chamber.

THOMAS J. REID.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 504,129 Lannert et al. Aug. 29, 1893 1,233,461 Freyn July 1'7, 1917 1,273,423 Thompson July 23, 1918 1,443,827 Tate Jan. 30, 1923 1,523,576 Bierce Jan. 20, 1925 1,573,965 Johnson Feb. 23, 1926 1,702,625 Anderson et al Feb. 19, 1929 1,739,161 McKee Dec. 10, 1929 1,794,868 Schifferle Mar. 3, 1931 1,994,547 Urquhart Mar. 19, 1935 2,041,706 Hahn May 26, 1936 2,068,567 Palmer Jan. 19, 1937 2,374,206 Howard Apr. 24, 1945 

